12 Naxalites Killed in Bijapur Encounter: A Major Success for Security Forces in Chhattisgarh

Ravi Singh

Bijapur Encounter: In a significant development in Chhattisgarh, twelve Naxalites were killed on Thursday, January 16, 2025, during an encounter with security forces in Bijapur district. The operation, which took place in the dense forests of south Bijapur, began around 9 AM and continued intermittently until late evening, according to a senior police official.

It was part of a large-scale anti-Naxalite operation in which a joint team from the DRG of three districts, five battalions of COBRA, and the 229th battalion of the CRPF had been engaged. Preliminary reports confirmed that twelve Naxalites had been eliminated in the fierce gun battle. Thankfully, there were no security personnel injured during the operation. However, the search operations in the area continue as more information and evidence might surface. It was just a few hours earlier when two jawans were hurt by a pressure IED detonated by Naxalites close to the village of Putkel under the area of the police station Basaguda. Those jawans have reportedly been admitted and are stated to be fine.

This operation marks the rising intensity of the state’s conflict against Naxalites. In total, 26 Naxalites have been neutralised in various encounters during January 2025. On January 12, five Naxalites, including two women, were killed in an encounter in the Madded police station area of Bijapur.

Earlier, on January 11, a CRPF jawan was injured in an IED blast set up by Naxalites in the same district.
The deadliest incident this month was when Naxalites used an IED weighing approximately 60–70 kilograms to blow up a vehicle carrying security forces, killing eight personnel and their civilian driver. The attack marked the biggest strike on security forces in Chhattisgarh in two years.

The recent upsurge in anti-Naxalite operations in Chhattisgarh reflects the will of the state and central governments to take up the fight against insurgency. As many as 219 Naxalites have been neutralized in different operations carried out during 2024. However, sporadic violence continues in the region with the constant threat of IED blasts and ambushes on security personnel and civilians.

Bijapur operation has also shown the power of coordination between state and central forces. Officials have reiterated that they will maintain pressure on Naxalites and restore peace and stability in the region. The identities of the deceased Naxalites and recovered arms will be announced once the search operation is over.
For more updates on Chhattisgarh’s fight against insurgency, keep tuned.